Minamoto no Yoshitsune

“The Tale of Heike” centers around the war between two clans, the Taira or Heike in the story and the Minamoto or known as Genji in the story in the 1100s. The work is often equated to other historical pieces of work such as the Iliad, the general plot of the work revolves around aspects of warrior culture and Japan during the medieval age. Since the piece was like other historical epic poems, there is not single author and the story has evolved being passed down through an oral culture before finally

to hit a fan that was placed on bow of a Taira warship, beconing any archer to show his worth by shooting it down. Munetaka, unsure, says, "I am not sure I can hit it. It would be an eternal disgrace to our side if I missed it.(p.367)" Ordered by Yoshitsune to fire on the fan and affraid to refuse, Munetaka closed his eyes in silent prayer. "Hail, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman and ye gods of my province at Nikko, Utsu-no-miya and Nasu Yuzen! Vouchsafe that I may hit the center of that fan. If I miss,

Yoshitsune, the leader of the Minamoto clan was one of the greatest military commanders of his generation. Yoshitsune had a great military intelligence and conducted many battles becoming one of the greatest samurais in Japan. In Samurai Rising (Pamela Turner) Yoshitsune portrayed as a hero and in Of Nightingale That Weeps (Katherine Paterson), he was a villain. In these two books, the character of Yoshitsune is different and comparable in many ways. Yoshitsune was a young boy in Ushiwakamaru when

Analysis of the Gempei War In May 1180 Prince Mochihito, the son of Retired emperor Go-Shirakawa, issued a statement urging the Minamoto to rise against the Taira. While Mochihito would be killed in June and Minamoto Yorimasa crushed at the Battle of the Uji, a fire had been set. In September Minamoto Yoritomo, who had recieved Mochihito's call from Miyoshi Yasukiyo, set about raising an army in the Province of Izu, where he had been in exile. There was an irony in the preceeding events, as

Minamoto Yoshitune is a Samurai who lost his father and brother because of reckless decisions. His father once was a highly respected Samurai but fell with his name. His father decided to raise an army against the retired Emperor Go- Shirakawa in order to get his promised position. However himself, his army, and two sons were killed. His remaining family was shamed. His youngest son Yoshitune swore revenge for his father name. Two descends from two different royal family. Both became samurais

To what extent does stage design impact, influence, and enhance a traditional Kabuki theatre performance, more specifically, in the eighteenth century play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) written by Takeda Izumo II, Namiki Senryû I, and Miyoshi Shôraku? Table of Contents Title Page………………………………………..………………………………….....…….Page 1 Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...………….Page 2 Subject of Essay………………………………...………………………………..………Page 3-10 * Introduction………………………………………

War between the Japanese Taira and Minamoto clans is often pointed to as an example of the Japanese warrior ethic. The Heike Monogatari traditionally would argue that this is true, however, the reality of the 12th-century conflict paints a much different story. Analysis of the war shows that the deciding factors of the war were not necessarily the military strength of the Minamoto, but instead it was a brilliant and lucky political chess game played by Minamoto Yoritomo. Yoritomo was able to develop

emperor became a figurehead, the samurai transitioned to armed guards for powerful daimyos. Two extremely powerful landowning clans, the Minamoto and Taira, eventually took power from the central government and fought each other for absolute control. The Minamoto emerged victorious and introduced a new military based government in 1192. “The clan leader, Minamoto Yoritomo, forced the emperor to name him shogun or “general”. Japan’s supreme military leader ruled in the emperor’s name” and introduced

were the Taira and Minamoto clans. This story documents the struggle for leadership and control between both clans at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War, taking place from 1180 to 1185. Authorship is unknown but it is still regarded as one of the celebrated classics in the Japanese literature. This story’s focus is on Heike (Taira) Clan in medieval Japan. It shows his rise into power and eventual fall. Highlights from the book shows the rivalry between the Minamoto and Heike clans (Genji)

So a Samurai, Knight and Spartan walk into a bar… Warriors of the Japan, masters in the way of the sword and honor bound to follow their lords command to the end. These are some ideas that come to mind when thinking of the samurai. A grand military figure in the first millennium of Japan’s history, a very interesting story is told when you search for their origin. With a court that began to care more about looks than their country to a society that both feared and needed them, the story of the samurai